My hunger for success is fueled by my passion. – Anonymous

Sunday, July 31, 2016 (DAY 1,609)
Traveling to exotic locations. Photography shoots. While Kathy Ireland encountered all this excitement and glamour when she embarked on her modeling career. By the time she was 18 she was traveling around the world on her own. As time has proven, that crucial decision laid the foundation for becoming one of the world's top models—called by many a supermodel. It also helped her to grow as a woman of conviction, one who was willing to trust God for her family and future businesses. (*much of the above except is from the below video description*).

While I will still continue to use my travel blog to provide as much accurate and honest travel advice for others, below, is a great video of former supermodel Kathy Ireland, which is actually a series of videos of some very famous celebrities to more of the unknown. I've continued to realize as I mentioned earlier that I've had a renewal of my faith and I felt that even though I left the United States nearly five-years ago in 2012, and I've just surpassed more than 1,600 days of traveling, leaving the U.S. with about $40,000 to actually spend on hoping to get my around the world–quitting a professional career that provided me with an extremely comfortable lifestyle, leaving behind my spacious 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom, two-car attached garage home, which I purchased in 2002 for sleeping in dorms and bunk beds as a 30-plus-year-old is daily humbling feeling–however, I've learned that I am second, and I don't want to be remembered as a young successful professional from Colorado, or a world traveler, but I'd rather be remembered Above where it matters most!

I know that for most people if they knew before-hand that I left the United States with this meager amount of money they would say how foolish you are (1 Cor. 1:27) and there's no way you are going to make it even a quarter of the way around the world by quitting a career that was on a path to be easily earning a six-figure salary with working part-time live television freelance events like the NBA Western Conference Finals, even having players like Kobe Bryan and J.R. Smith falling on me once while operating camera during a game on the court (humorously), and where I had the ability to travel anywhere in the world, but for up to two-weeks at a time. But, then I feel that this is part of my story as I felt compelled to do this even at a very young age, to be given the passion to travel the world. I have to give God all the glory! Because, there is no way in human logic that I could still be out traveling around the world approaching five-years AND having more than half of my original amount of money split between several banks both in the US and in South Korea. Even though of course I've worked and become quite the entrepreneur and a so-called backpacker hustler, meaning the long-term budget travelers will do almost any thing to save money like volunteering at hostels for no pay but in return free accommodation, work exchange (again for room and board), cleaning toilets even as I mentioned. I mean how does someone like myself, right, go from being a Program Manager of a National Television Network in the United States with a college degree to be WILLING to clean toilets and living on a shoe string budget?

I'll be the first to admit that I am full of flaws, of shame, of areas that I never portrayed that of someone that believes in God, let alone Christ, and even though I have stumbled greatly, guess what? I am forgiven. Every time, I went through areas of absolute struggle to whether it be in gaining success professionally, financially, the brand new cars and motorcycle, girls and relationships, traveling to some of the most beautiful and amazing places, that whatever it was, God NEVER gave up on me! But, He did the opposite and has ALWAYS called me back! And for that, I can't even express in words what that means, to be completely honest.

I was watching a video by former NFL Player Jared Allen and he talked about how he was in a team meeting and during their team chapel the question was presented: "If you were arrested for being a Christian today, WOULD there be enough evidence to convict you?" This certainly hit home for me, and I think of course the greatest thing is that God is always there to forgive us over and over and over again! So, as I mentioned before, regardless of those that have met me before traveling, knew me in the States, or otherwise, that I am second® and there are a number of these videos from celebrities, athletes, wealthy individuals to those that are completely normal unknown individuals talking about how God has changed their life and in spite of the wealth or the pain they have endured, it all comes to the same resolution and that is they are second in life.

So, I know many people have their own feelings about God, Jesus, the Bible, and especially Christians, but if you are going through feelings of depression, pain, anger, addiction, just pause for a moment and take a chance my friend and just talk to God. Even those that openly profess that they are agnostics or atheists, still even I love them and care for them, just as Christ loves and cares for all of us, but I asked a friend recently that those that don't even believe in God or whatever, when something tragic happens in their life, in the world, etc. whom is the first person they blame and curse? It's God right? Think about that for a moment, and what does that tell you....I think it tells you that God has ALWAYS been within you as He is our Creator, so once again what do you have to lose by taking that chance and open your heart to Him? There is nothing to lose, but there is ALL TO GAIN!

About the Author

My name is Troy and I gave up a promising 12-year career to travel the world! Now after more than 4-years of continuous global travel, I've lived an incredible life and my goal is to inspire others to achieve their dreams!